Early Signs of Lung Disease & How to Strengthen Your Lungs

The lungs are one of the hardest-working organs in the body. Every single minute they are contracted and expand an average of 20 times to supply your entire body with the oxygen it needs. Lungs are actually one of the largest organs in your body. While the lungs are taking in the oxygen to nourish your body, they are also exchanging it with carbon dioxide. The gas is taken from your blood and expelled into the atmosphere, making this an important two way process.

Whether you realize it or not, your lungs will constantly work around the clock to keep you living healthy. They pump hard during physical exertion, help you make your birthday wish, and make being human possible. But what happens when external factors threaten your lung health?

What Causes Lung Disease

There are several factors that can contribute to lung disease. Most of them can easily be avoided with the right knowledge and preventative measures.

Air Pollution – The industrial world is laden with clouds of foreign chemicals from industry, transportation, and seemingly everyday items. Your body wants to suck in oxygen, but if it takes in too much VOCs, particulates, carbon monoxide, and other types of toxins it could lead to lung disease.

Germs – Some lung diseases are caused by microorganisms from bacteria, fungus, and viruses. Germs most commonly cause influenza and pneumonia.

Smoking – Smoking in any shape or form is terrible for your lungs and it’s one of the habits to stop right now if you want to be healthy that I wrote about in the past . Carcinogens fill your airways and slowly kill your respiratory system. The second hand smoke is also filled with harmful chemicals, making it a danger for the people around a smoker as well.  if you smoke and you suffer from irritated lungs then you can try to use mullein – This herb helps soothe irritated lungs and mucous membranes in the respiratory tract. Take 2 to 3 cups of tea per day or ½ to 1 teaspoon of tincture three times per day. You can find more information about herbal remedies in my e-book: “The Herbal Remedies Guide”.

Asbestos – This fiber was widely used in vehicles, fireproof material, and insulation before we knew much about its dangerous properties. The tiny fibers released are taken into the lungs and destroy the cells inside.

Radon – Radon and other forms of gas are invisible culprits. If the odorless gas is in your home it could very well contribute to cancer and other types of lung disease.

Genetics – Many lung conditions are linked to our genes that play an important role in the health of our lungs.

What is Lung Disease?

There are several types of lung disease that affect the way people breathe. They slowly worsen the respiratory system, making the everyday lives of victims difficult and causing hundreds of thousands of deaths every year.

Common Types of Lung Disease

Asthma – This chronic condition affects the bronchial tubes and makes the transport of air to and from the lungs difficult. Certain triggers such as allergens and sickness cause the airways to swell up and prevent healthy breathing. If you have asthma, you may want to read the article about the top 10 natural treatments for asthma.

Lung Cancer – Lung cancer is one of the deadliest types, killing more women each year than any other cancer. It eliminates the body’s control over malignant cell growth in the lungs and can quickly spread to other parts of the body. Read my previous article about this subject.

COPD – Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease which makes it hard to breathe. The two main forms of COPD are chronic bronchitis, which involves a long-term cough with mucus and emphysema, which involves destruction of the lungs over time.

These are the most common forms of lung disease experienced by the general population, but there are many more, such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary emboli, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary fibrosis and more.

Early Signs of Lung Disease

The earlier you detect a problem in the respiratory system the better. Picking up on the following symptoms will make it easier to seek treatment and reduce the damage to your lungs.

• Difficulties breathing in and out, usually associated with pain in the chest.
• Coughs may result in expelling blood or a thick mucus substance called phlegm.
• The feeling that your lungs aren’t taking in as much air as they used too.
• Loss of breath even with small amounts of physical exertion.
• Persistent coughing and tight wheezing sensation when breathing.
• Unusual weight loss and a sluggish demeanor.

How to Strengthen Your Lungs

You don’t have to be one of the millions of people that suffer from the misfortune of lung disease. Even if you are, there are ways for you to reduce the damage and increase the overall strength of your lungs to solidify a happy and healthy future.

Avoid Smoking – If you haven’t picked up this destructive habit than your lungs already have a brighter future. It’s an addictive crutch that ruins the lives of smokers and those associated with them. Steer clear of second hand smoke if you’re ever around a smoker.

If You Do Smoke, Quit – We aren’t trying to shame smokers, there are millions of people worldwide that suffer from the serious and harmful addiction. Quitting is far from easy, but there are plenty of    programs and products to help put smokers on the right track.

Clean Air – Indoor air pollution can be prevented with the proper amount of ventilation and purification. Consider investing in a few purifying plants and installing air pollution detectors within your home. Know the environment outdoors and at work to avoid breathing in too many pollutants. You can read my article about the 10 best air filtering house plants.

Get Active – You don’t have to become a complete fitness buff to strengthen your lungs. A moderate routine of physical activity will strengthen your lungs and immune system to ward off harmful germs and chemicals.

Get Your Diet Straight – A well balanced diet consisting of natural foods will give your entire body a considerable boost. Studies show that many different types of fruits and vegetables can actually help prevent lung cancer. Read my article about the best foods to cleanse your lungs.

Talk to Your Physician – If you are concerned about your lung health, a medical professional can run tests and give you more lifestyle advice to maintain a healthy set of lungs.

Also read my article about the top vegetable that can reduce the risk for lung cancer: Reduce The Risk For Lung Cancer With This Vegetable